News

Genie (Peony) by Jiha Moon
Jiha Moon (South Korean, b. 1973)Genie (Peony), 2019Lithograph, screenprint and nail decals26.75 x 21 in.Gallery Purchase This fall, I had the opportunity to participate in ArtMate, an incredible program at Davidson College that allows students to select artwork from the college's gallery collection to display in their personal spaces. During the selection party at the Smith Gallery, where all the pieces were on display, a few works caught my eye, but one in particular drew me in with its bold colors and intricate details. Fortunately, it was still available when it was my turn to choose, and it became the...
Read More

Seen on Campus: Waves III

Written by:

December 6th, 2024

Jaume Plensa (Catalan Spanish, b. 1955)Waves III, 2012Stainless steel and stone98.5 x 75.5 x 131.5 in Gift of James G. Pepper, Class of 1965 Whenever I walk by Waves III by Jaume Plensa, I feel like I have to stop and look at it. It’s a sculpture made up of letters and symbols from all sorts of languages, forming the shape of a person. Something about the way the letters come together makes it impossible to ignore. I feel drawn to it as if it’s quietly calling me to stop and pay attention. The letters are from different alphabets, representing...
Read More

In the spring of 2024, the Davidson College Art Galleries collaborated with textile artist Erika Diamond to create a community project for queer students and allies at Davidson College. Erika Diamond (American, b. 1978) is a multidisciplinary textile artist primarily working in Asheville, NC. Diamond’s works often surround themes of protecting queer youth. In 2024, Erika Diamond exhibited her two works (In)Visibility Hoodie and 40% NC Quilt in the Van Every/Smith Art Galleries exhibition The sun still rises in spite of everything. 40% NC Quilt depicts little pink houses in the pattern of the NC State Quilt Block. The work...
Read More

As we move forward after election day, we’re given an opportunity to reflect on what this moment means for us as a nation. In this context, I believe two works on display in the Davidson College Library by Bethany Collins, America: A Hymnal and The Star Spangled Banner: A Hymnal provide a good lens through which to view this moment. Through these pieces, Collins offers a unique perspective on unity and national identity that resonates with civic participation and the ongoing journey to define what it means to be American. America: A Hymnal includes 100 variations of “My Country ’Tis...
Read More

Day With(out) Art 2024

Written by:
December 2nd, 2024
Visual AIDS is an organization founded in 1988 with a goal to fight AIDS by inspiring conversations and supporting HIV+ artists. Their work includes the Artist+ Registry and Archive Project, which is the largest database of works by artists with HIV/AIDS. These resources are meant to educate on art activism and the lasting impact of HIV+ artists. Find out more about the organization here: https://visualaids.org/about-us. For Day With(out) Art this year, Visual AIDS compiled Red Reminds Me, a series of videos detailing the connection between the color red and AIDS as well as the emotional experience of living with HIV:...
Read More